Utility rack



,Sept. 15, 1959 Filed March 5, 1954 N. M. RICHARDSON UTILITY RACK 2 Sheets-She et 1 -rramvsT Sept, 15, 1959 v N. M. RICHARDSON 2,904,188

UTILITY RACK Filed March 5, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F Tig.5

ATTORAIEY United States Patent UTILITY RACK Norvell M. Richardson, Roanoke, Va.

Application March '5, 1954, Serial No. 414,390

1 Claim. (Cl. 211-65) This invention relates to utility racks and such that can accommodate the support of items such as radiator brushes, commode and counter brushes, dust pans and various other items including scrub mops, brooms, dust and wall mops, etc.

An important object of the invention is to provide a structure which is primarily intended for commercial use, but which can be used for household use on a reduced scale.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a utility rack which will accommodate a very limited space and to the end that the same can be placed in a corner of a room or any closet where it will not present an obstacle to passageways.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a rack of the character stated which is of extreme simple construction and capable of being marketed at a low retail monetary figure.

These and various other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the structure.

Figure 2 is a section taken on line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section taken on line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 44 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a right side elevation.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the frame work.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the spring detent means.

Figure 8 is a section taken on line 8-8 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a section taken substantially on line 99 of Figure 7.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals indicate like parts, it can be seen that numeral 20 generally refers to a frame or rack. This rack consists of a pair of vertical members '21, 22, bridged at their upper ends by a horizontal member 23.

Extending inwardly from the vertical member 22 is a shelf 24, which at its inner end connects to the lower end of an intermediate member 25, this member being connected at its upper end to a medial portion of the horizontal member 23.

The intermediate portion of the intermediate member 25 is recessed to receive one end of a strut 26, while a medial portion of the vertical member 21 is recessed to receive the other end of the strut 26.

The strut 26 and the overlying portion of the horizontal member 23 are identically constructed, each being formed with a pair of notches 27, 28 and these notches define ice protuberances 29 which are chamfered to receive spring members 30, the ends of which project partially into the notches 27, 28, so that when mop handles are inserted into the notches and pulled behind the springs 30, located on the horizontal member 23 and the strut 26, they will be retained frictionally due to the tensioning of the cor responding spring ends. This is shown in Figure 8.

It is preferable that two groups of these springs and notches be located on the horizontal member 23 and strut 26.

To the right in Figure 1, there are shown two notches 31 and 32 for the reception of the stems 34 of radiator cleaners 35. Furthermore, this portion of the horizontal member 23 is formed with openings 36 for the reception of the handles 37 of scrub brushes 38, the lower ends of which are received in recesses 39 in the top side of the shelf 24.

The lower portion of each of the uprights 21, 22 is provided with a lateral base formation 40, in order that the rack will stand in an upright position on a level surface.

The upright 22, or the upright 21 may be provided with one or more hooks 41 over which eye members on various types of brushes can be disposed.

Further, the upright 22 is formed with openings 42 therein for receiving the ends of brush handles 43.

It can be seen that this rack can be placed in a very limited space, such as up against a wall in a corner or in a fairly large size closet. The various articles can be easily removed from the rack and will certainly be retained in place when properly located on the rack.

While the foregoing description sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention what is claimed as new is:

A utility rack comprising a frame having vertical end posts, a horizontal top member, a short horizontal mem ber extending inwardly from one post, a short post rising from the inner end of the short horizontal member and connecting to a medial portion of the horizontal top member and a short horizontal member extending from a medial portion of the short vertical post to connect to the remaining end post, the portion of said horizontal top member above the last mentioned short horizontal member being provided with handle securing means and said short last mentioned horizontal member being like wise provided with handle engaging means, said engaging means being adapted to engage handles of mops and like structures for supporting their heads below the second mentioned short horizontal member, the first mentioned short horizontal member being formed with recesses for receiving the ends of inverted broom handles, the portion of the top horizontal member above said recesses being formed with openings therethrough to re ceive the handles of brooms.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

